Mubende Hospital senior accountant, who allegedly siphoned funds amounting to over sh55m, has been charged with fraud.
Henry Okumu Okori appeared before anti-corruption court magistrate, Michael Lagara, who sent him on remand in Luzira Prison.
He was charged with two counts of embezzlement and causing financial loss to government. He however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Okumu was charged together with Aston Kyonya Kasangaki, Peter Okot, 38, both accounts assistant of the Hospital and Joseph Okello, 51, of Butabika Hospital.
Okori was denied bail because the court had no jurisdiction to grant it.
“The offences you are charged with are not bailable by this court because the case involves colossal sum of money and therefore considered grave in nature,” Lagara said.
The magistrate however, advised the accused to apply for bail in High Court, saying it’s the only court which can grant them bail as they proceed with the hearing.
“Bail is a constitutional right and it can be granted if you produce substantial sureties,” he said.
Prosecution alleges that the senior accountant during financial year 2010 / 11 with intent to defraud, stole sh61m, a property of Mubende Hospital and used it for personal use.
The charge sheet also adds that Okumu failed to maintain financial records and up-to-date books of accounts within the accounts department, hence leading to loss of money amounting to sh490m.
The case was adjourned June, 29, 2013.
By Michael Odeng, The New Vision
